Customer reviews from Peak Design
Peak Design - Travel Backpack 30L - Sage
Average customer rating
4.6
(270 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 270 reviews
5 Stars
196
4 Stars
51
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
4
1 Star
6
91%of customers recommend this product.
(
205 out of
225)
Customer Reviews for Peak Design - Travel Backpack 30L - Sage
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic Travel Pack
on October 27, 2022
Posted by: sub_urbancowboy
from Portland, OR
I have been searching for the perfect business/pleasure travel backpack for years. For the last several years I have been using a 28l PacSafe which has held up very, very well, but it is only a top loading bag and was too small for 2-3 day overnights packing a computer, charger, shoes and clothes. So far, the PD 30l seems to be the one. Clamshell opening, easy access, not too many straps and pockets, the shoulder strap system is fantastic and I love the expansion zipper. I looked for a long time, tried all of the bigger brands, Patagonia and the like, and settled on this bag. Looking forward to many years of use.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic quality sleek backpack
on December 26, 2022
Posted by: Val
from London, UK
First off I did a lot of research and watching/reading reviews to finally choose this bag. It was initially more than I was thinking to spend, but it fit my needs and the guarantee helps.
The quality is evident. Everything feels really well made.
The expanded too, you feel confident it won't break after a few times. The zip seam come together to form a nice seal.
Overall the bag looks great too, a seek minimalist design.
The expanded too, you feel confident it won't break after a few times. The zip seam come together to form a nice seal.
Overall the bag looks great too, a seek minimalist design.
Theres a few things I wish were different:
- shoulder straps to have more padding. I knew beforehand, but it would improve the comfort. I'd forgo the possibility to tuck in the straps for more comfort.
- the magnet section on the bottom of the front - limited usage cases IMO. The magnets seem good, but I don't feel confident to use it for anything in case it falls out.
- because of the above the front pocket is limited in space. If rather this space just be deeper.
- a passport pocket at the back would be useful.
- shoulder straps to have more padding. I knew beforehand, but it would improve the comfort. I'd forgo the possibility to tuck in the straps for more comfort.
- the magnet section on the bottom of the front - limited usage cases IMO. The magnets seem good, but I don't feel confident to use it for anything in case it falls out.
- because of the above the front pocket is limited in space. If rather this space just be deeper.
- a passport pocket at the back would be useful.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
4
Great in overhead, okay under the chair
on February 1, 2023
Posted by: TYM
from Boston
I’ve taken the Travel Backpack 30 on 22 flights now and think it’s great but not perfect.
Great:
- Lots of storage space + looks great, primary use is fantastic.
- Waterproofing is amazing
- Lots of storage space + looks great, primary use is fantastic.
- Waterproofing is amazing
Could be improved:
- The loop that allows you to slide the bag over your carry-on isn’t wide enough to prevent the Travel 30 from sliding around when fully packed: you should expect the bag to slide off the top of your carry-on
- The little pocket on the front of the backpack is your only storage option for easy to grab things, it’s way too small. Just a battery pack and my wallet is an extremely tight fit, not to think of storing more things.
- Airlines will mostly let you store it under your seat, but once in Europe they did not. It’s huge under your seat, do not expect to extend your legs at all.
- The loop that allows you to slide the bag over your carry-on isn’t wide enough to prevent the Travel 30 from sliding around when fully packed: you should expect the bag to slide off the top of your carry-on
- The little pocket on the front of the backpack is your only storage option for easy to grab things, it’s way too small. Just a battery pack and my wallet is an extremely tight fit, not to think of storing more things.
- Airlines will mostly let you store it under your seat, but once in Europe they did not. It’s huge under your seat, do not expect to extend your legs at all.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
2
great bag with horrible comfort
on October 31, 2024
Posted by: xxx
one year with it and i can't use it anymore because of that horribly painful straps. If they could just redesign that back part prioritizing comfort (like the tortuga backpack, for example), they could have the perfect bag but right now, at least for my body, it's unusable.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
3 years / 100 Countries
on May 22, 2025
Posted by: Full time traveler
from Idaho
I traveled with and tried several packs before settling on the Peak Design 45L three years ago. It is one of very few pieces of gear I haven’t traded out. I travel with it almost exclusively in the 35 L configuration but the ability to expand it to the 45 on occasion when I acquire gifts I need to ship home has been a great asset. The pack itself is almost bulletproof. The only issue I’ve had is the plastic coating on the mesh interior pocket, flaking away and the mesh fraying. I’m confident Peak will fix this anytime I was to submit it based on their impressive warranty. Outside of this, the bag looks almost new, shocking given the rather hard life it has seen.
Even fully loaded, the bag is comfortable and the hip belt does a great job of distributing weight. Carry time exceeding 45 minutes will make you feel the shoulder straps, but this is a travel bag and not a hiking pack. The looks are fantastic and make it easy for carry-on even when the bag has exceeded weight limitations. I have traveled exclusively, carry-on, and never been required to check the pack.
For being such a rugged pack, it has great aesthetics, making you feel good carrying it into even the nicest hotels. I do carry a rain cover but solely for when we tuck it into dirty areas as the pack itself is so water resistant there really is no need outside of keeping it clean. Inside there are more pockets than I would prefer, but it is great for those who want them for organization. We found the water bottle pockets to be outstanding. Even after three years of use, they lie flat when when empty and securely hold multiple sizes of bottles. Just as an aside, the small zipper pockets concealed within the water bottle pockets are very handy. My wife and I travel with only these packs and no other bags. The ability to use the zipper configurations to access different parts of our gear without opening the entire pack is one of those small things which makes travel easier, particularly airports. Although I don’t carry a laptop, I found the laptop compartment to be perfect for my Zero Trail sandals and the lockable zippers are a must have on any travel pack though I’m shocked at the number of companies who don’t include them.
I am 6’2”, 205lbs and the pack fits perfectly. It was too large for my wife, but she now carries the 30L model, which has been great for her (she is 5’3”, 130lbs). I will note the straps on the 30 L model are narrower, less comfortable, and have shown some fraying. They are definitely a different type of material and not up to the standard of those on the 45 L.
These are not the lightest packs on the market, but I believe they are the best built and have some of the nicest aesthetics. The detail work which has gone into all the little things like handle, comfort, access, hidden pockets, hideaway, straps, anchor, points, etc.. clearly comes from both an eye for detail and experiencing using them for travel. You won’t go wrong with this pack. Peak design, my thanks for making a product which is contributed so much to ease of travel.
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Perfect size
on March 14, 2022
Posted by: Egill Bjarki
from Hong Kong
Was about to go for the 45L, but thankfully I spotted this option in time. Most of the time, the backpack is perfectly sized for my camera kit. Love having the option to extend it, when I might need a little bit of extra room.
This is what I manage to fit in the backpack:
A7RIII + 20mm 1.8 G
A1 + 35mm 1,2 Art
A1 + 70-200mm 2.8 GM
Mavic 2 Pro + Smart controller
14" laptop
A1 + 35mm 1,2 Art
A1 + 70-200mm 2.8 GM
Mavic 2 Pro + Smart controller
14" laptop
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Large and comfortable
on June 21, 2022
Posted by: Dom
from Melbourne, Australia
I have been using this whilst travelling for the last month and it is large enough to carry all my essentials but compact enough not to be cumbersome.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design
Customer Rating
5
Streamline Travel
on August 8, 2022
Posted by: Susan77
from Appleton, WI
I bought this travel pack on the recommendation of a friend who did a lot of research. She was right! The pack can hold much, but is small enough to fit under an airplane seat. Because it’s a backpack, running through airports is possible, but it opens up like a suitcase so I’m not digging to the bottom for that one item I need. It’s great!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting Peak Design